FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
April 24, 2002 Jordan Goldstein at (202) 418-2000
STATEMENT OF
COMMISSIONER MICHAEL J. COPPS
Re: Request for Review of the Decision of the Universal Service Administrator by Information
Technology Department, State of North Dakota, Bismarck, North Dakota, DA 02-956
Hundreds of schools and libraries successfully filed electronic applications for E-Rate
discounts within the filing window, but failed to mail a signed certification until after the
window had closed. As a result, these schools and libraries -- including many rural and poor
schools in North Dakota, Puerto Rico, and numerous other places – were denied discounts to
connect their classrooms and libraries to the Internet. I am troubled when so many deserving
schools are denied funding, particularly as in this case, when the rules were changed and are
being applied for the first time. Given these facts, I would have supported granting a one-time
waiver to provide funding to these schools and libraries.
- FCC -
NEWS
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, S.W.
Washington, D. C. 20554
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.
See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).